A film in two halves

Rating: 6/10 (20 November 2011)

The Island begins with what appears to be an Orwellian future where people rescued from a global disaster live a strictly regulated and controlled life inside a safe facility. A lottery awards winners with the freedom to go and live on an island, said to be the only safe place in the ravaged world. However, as the protagonists find out, this is all a huge deception.
I love the first half of this film. The intrigue and mystery of the controlled setting and the sinister doctor overseeing it were paced very well and the way the characters discovered the truth behind their situation was very well done. Added to this are some genuinely poignant moments that really make you think, such as the Lima One Alpha scene.
I like the second half of the film somewhat less. After the characters escape, the mood of the film shifts to being more of a frenetic action film with flying vehicles and stuff exploding and people killing each other. While it's not bad as action films go, I can't help wondering how good it would have been if it had kept up the more thoughtful and intelligent tone it had started with.